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How to minimize pink in a crazy big bathroom?

7 years ago

So, we're buying a house. Huge master bathroom. Huge. 12-ft ceilings, fireplace, etc. BUT--it is full of pink marble/travertine tile. The whole shower, the floors, the tub surround. There are also a LOT of bright brass fixtures that we cannot replace (like the steam shower fittings, tub jets, etc). How do we bring this ode to Greece into a modern farmhouse?




Comments (128)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Paint all the walls a medium brown and add a large indoor/outdoor rug. And paint the mirror frame black.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I would remove the fireplace surround and not replace it. Who needs a mantel while showering?

    I noticed the stone has rusty brown/coral veins with a rosy pink background. I tried to make the walls in the tone of orange rather than rosy.

    I tried to make it a lighter shade but the paint program was not cooperative.

    I actually like the stone.

    HU-58102792 thanked emmarene9
  • 7 years ago
    I wonder if there is a wallpaper that could work? Just going out on a limb???
  • 7 years ago
    I think the only way white could work is it it had texture as in shiplap or something similiar and not glossy but matte.
  • 7 years ago

    PennyDesign--LOL on the "keep the cherubs". So, there are 3 cherubs on the ceiling and it so happens that we have 3 sons...is it fate? We'll see on the cherubs--I'm not making any promises!

  • 7 years ago

    I like the board and batten idea versus shiplap. Classic vs Trendy. But I'm not sure the busy floor needs more than painted walls.

    If you keep the current vanities, add hardware. Also consider removing the vanity area between, and bring in a piece of closed furniture for storage. A vintage piece to bring in the farmhouse feel. Painted same (new) color as wall

    Has anyone else noticed the "heart" on tub front, made from 4 tiles?


    HU-58102792 thanked Allison0704
  • 7 years ago

    Tack velvet blindfolds onto the cherubs. They'll make you less uncomfortable that way...

    HU-58102792 thanked Fori
  • 7 years ago

    HU the gods have clearly spoken...

    If I had three kids, the ceiling would have sold me that house regardless of what the rest of it was like.

    Forgot to congratulate you on your new home.....many, many happy years in it for you :)

    HU-58102792 thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    I'll chime in on the bathroom...

    I think that the yellow(ish) paint is doing a disservice to the marble. It's making it come across as--well, kind of hideous. And it's not at all.

    When I try to see the marble without the yellow, I see shades of peach (one of my favorite colors).

    I'm wondering if a very soft shade of green would be more complimentary?

    I think if you try to over-compensate for the marble by adding overly "farmhouse" touches, it will bite you in the hiney...and make it even MORE horrible.

    Simplify it...paint, get rid of the mantel, don't worry about the brass--I think brass is okay and is coming back en vogue...at the very least, you can ignore it by not adding anything else that's brass in your decor.

    Anyway, just something to consider...

  • 7 years ago

    I LOVE it! How deliciously glam and brave and OUT of the bloody box! I love it!


    :D


    (Can you tell I hate cookie cutter houses).


    I'd paint the walls white and be done. And that domed ceiling in the master bedroom... WOW! Please don't get rid of that! I would have bought that house purely for those beautiful quirks!


    Hu200

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    You know, of course, if you paint over the cherubs, they're still going to be there; you'll always imagine them looking through the paint, so you might as well leave them where you can see them, too.

  • 7 years ago

    I agree with Pennydesign. The floor is so busy the rest must remain simple. No shiplap or board and batten and no ornate fire surround. Luckily the cabinets are simple. I would consider painting them cream.

    Count me as pro cherub.

  • 7 years ago

    Ok, I spent way too much time getting this to work on my (too slow) laptop, so I didn't try messing with the second picture. I like the warm white best. Tried to find some art that would make the walls not seem so bare too, but I'm no good at that.





    All in on the pink (I'm not a fan):





    Green? Green is hard, and there are a lot of greens. Definitely don't do this one. Probably not any of them.




    You could definitely find a better purple than this one (I lost patience):




    One I didn't try is a navy, which might work if you want dark.


    Note that I changed to vanity to a stain color that almost matches the doors in the other picture. But I doubt they are worth refinishing.

  • 7 years ago

    Every time I try to post, Houzz crashes! I'll try one picture at a time....


    I think warm white is your best bet. It highlights the window. Add a (non-patterned) rug or two to break up the floors a little. I tried to find some art to also compliment things, but I didn't take enough time to nail it.




  • 7 years ago
    Congratulations on your new home! This is going to be fun to watch! Good luck!
  • 7 years ago

    Found the listing for this house ...talk about different styles .by the previous owners !

  • 7 years ago

    HU, what is behind that actual panel on the wall on Picture 40, between the vanity and the tub? Is it a cupboard, or a hidden window? That is driving me nuts.


    I would also take this step-by-step and prime the walls and change the bulbs, then paint walls, then see what the vanity needs. I also would remove the mantle if possible. I like the idea of obscuring the glass door. There is vinyl cling-on window cover in rolls that you can try before doing a film.


    What I don't get is if they spared no expense, why are the kitchen cabinets so 1980s modern, while moving the style of everything else in such a divergent direction? Their choices within the individual rooms are even questionable.

  • 7 years ago
    Painting the walls and woodwork will go a long way. Just white primer for now, then assess it in natural light. The solution will likely be to not fight the pink but kill it with kindness, meaning warm, pinkish toned things. Pink (or any colour) looks less pink when it’s surrounded by similar hues.
  • 7 years ago

    Gayle are you the OP? Confused a bit...

  • 7 years ago

    Wow, it's bizarre and there's a color mismatch. But it's also rather grand and appears to be made of high quality materials. I think a good rule in decorating is never to replace anything with something that is cheaper or less well made. So taking out funky marble and putting in plain tile might be something to avoid.

    I agree that those yellow, green walls need to be painted. Probably white or off white? Then perhaps just leave it for a while and live with it before adding anything more. No more colors. No more stuff. At least for a while. The marble is already a *lot*. It's like the Zsa Zsa Gabor of tubs. It might need to be the star of the show.


  • 7 years ago

    Wow what a discussion! I think that about everything that can be suggested and said has been. Concerning the bathroom, the marble actually matches the exterior house shutters. For a reasonable transformation I would begin by painting walls and trim white, paint everything white. even the mantle. Install ceiling tresses with an arch detail to match the lovely window. I would replace the cabinets and vanities as they don't match in style, size or color. Again, I would go with white vanities on legs that look like furniture. I would also change the fireplace insert to white or brass. Painting the trim around the bathroom arch window in a soft grey might be a consideration. I think I would consider changing your mirrors for oval ones. A long narrow garden bench would be a nice functional piece to place in front of the fireplace. If possible I would change the sconces on each side of the tub for a round suspended metal candle chandelier. Lean a rustic ladder (where the small table is) as a towel rack. Arrange various sizes and shapes of white pottery on mantle or clear apothecary jars with same color soaps. An oversized piece of art would also look nice over the mantle. Congratulations on your fabulous farmhouse. What fun.

  • 7 years ago

    FWIW my grandparents had a working farm and an honest to god in use farmhouse and there were rooms in the house ( which my grandfather mostly built) that were "grand". The dining room was fancy. Lots of dark paneling and woodwork and dark wood furniture. It was right next to the plain farm kitchen with a massive white cast iron sink and the two rooms didn't really flow together. But what's the use of fresh from the farm produce if you don't have a fancy dining room to enjoy it in?
    The bathroom was kind of elaborate too ( rose wallpaper, pink fixtures, shiny chrome). It was a point of pride when they fully plumbed the house and didn't need an outhouse any more.
    There was a sort of faux Greek cornice and columns surrounding the front door ( I think my grandfather ordered it from a catalog).
    I think having a few incongruously fancy rooms in a farmhouse isn't necessarily out of character.
    Maybe other people who grew up living on or visiting a farm can chime in ( maybe my grandfather was just odd?).

    HU-58102792 thanked User
  • 7 years ago
    By the time you make many of the suggestions happen such as painting, replacing vanities, removing/relaxing mantels... you may as well just redo the tile. At least the floor and tub surround, then make the shower door opaque so you can’t see it until you save enough to redo the shower. Use an inexpensive tile. Everything else will be what SW would call “lipstick on a pig,” unfortunately...
  • 7 years ago

    Pick a white paint that has a hint of grayed out pink for walls, it will tone down the pink. Paint the vanities and mantel white as well, It will cost a few hundred dollars, retiling will cost thousands. I might be tempted to try the vanity in a dark coral, but paint it on a board first to see it it works after you've painted everything else white. Avoid paint with a cool undertone. Then live with it for a year or so, as you spend time and money on more public areas of the house. I kind of like it, it has personality.

  • 7 years ago
    It’s such a large, light filled space. This may sound difficult to wrap your head around but I would paint the walls a beautiful chocolate brown in a matte finish. As you have so much wall space I would hang large art with gold frames( not fussy) and wide off white matting. Make sure all the trim and doors, cabinets match.
    HU-58102792 thanked lynartist
  • 7 years ago
    I would probably paint the cabinets and woodwork in an off white to tone down the formality and tie all those elements together.
  • 7 years ago
    I’m sorry I can’t “ paint” your room! This is the best visual I can offer!
    HU-58102792 thanked lynartist
  • 7 years ago

    This Classic Bordello style (aka Vegas era) is too fabulous to tone down. If you can't afford to do a gut job, I think you should, as you current president said recently, tone it up. Think velvet paintings, plush rugs and candles everywhere. Channel your inner Liberace.

  • 7 years ago

    I for one will shed a tear if you paint over the cherubs!! What is the point of having a DOMED BEDROOOM if you don't even have CHERUBS!!! Lean in, girl!

    oh and when you are done painting the bathroom (but not cherubs), heave the exterior shutters. What a great, funny house :)

    HU-58102792 thanked greenfish1234
  • 7 years ago

    lynartist, that brown looks fabulous! I never would have thought!

  • 7 years ago

    That brown really is a good look!! We'll give that one a shot when we put up samples!


  • 7 years ago

    Can someone do a mock up of SW Rookwood Dark Red? Or something similar (deep reddish brown). I like the brown above better than any of the other suggestions above, but i think something with red in it could work even better.


    Agree with someone else that, by the time you do all the things suggested above (painting vanities etc) you might as well just demo the bathroom including the tile. But i don't think there's any reason to do all that stuff. Just remove the mantle (and potentially replace with something insanely simple diy), leave the brass (which has been trending for several years -- especially with a glam look like brown or oxblood walls), put the treatment on the shower glass that makes it look etched (diy - super cheap and easy). And paint. Paint is really the only thing you need. If you do anything more than this list, you should just demo. Don't mess with the vanities - they are perfectly lovely, even if a little dated.


    In any event, appreciate if someone could mock up rookwood dark red or similar!

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I really like the brown and the idea of keeping a touch of glam without all of the faux italianate crap (except the cherubs!! KEEP THE CHERUBS!!) no mantle, chocolate walls, cream vanity and doors and trim. Keep the brass and mirrors. I have a farmhouse type of house with some glam elements, IMO it works and as was mentioned upthread is not unheard of. Plenty of "gentleman" farmers, European immigrants, would have some fancy heirlooms etc. just no mint trompe l'oeil :D

    you can't change the structural facts of the space: domed ceilings, fancy windows, or the marble (for now), so treat it as what it is: completely different from the rest of the house. shiplap and domed ceilings just don't go, with or without (WITH!! WITH!!) cherubs.

    HU-58102792 thanked greenfish1234
  • 7 years ago
    Chocolate brown is a natural fit with pink; especially the warm, peachier tone of your floors! I wouldn’t introduce more red tone however as you want to tone down this aspect. You may have to sample several browns before hitting the right one. If you don’t want to keep or paint your existing cabinets then you can do as Natalie suggested. I would do all the woodwork including the mantle in a creamy white though. Not a pure white. You need the contrast against the dark walls and it will be more in keeping with your farmhouse! This will always be a more elegant bathroom; you can change the fixtures and lighting. Light fluffy cream towels and rug, beautiful art. It can be very lovely indeed!
  • 7 years ago
    H202, here is SW rookwood Dark brown. The RDR is a barn red and doesn’t work imo. This is nice.
    HU-58102792 thanked lynartist
  • 7 years ago

    Yes, brown and pink is a gorgeous mix!

  • 7 years ago

    Besides being gorgeous and warm, the brown will definitely cover all that trompe l'oeil "architecture" on the walls. You will have the pink, and somewhere up above someone said the tile has a brownish/coral tinge, so the brown will be perfect for it. Then if you wish to be a bit posh, you can go for gold framed mirrors and pictures, goldish brass sconces, and the like. That pink marble may need something posh to make it feel at home. If you do paint the vanity cream, maybe some gold painted accents on it, rubbed out a bit to look old and used?

  • 7 years ago

    Bumping because I'm curious if you ever did anything with this bathroom?

    HU-58102792 thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    OP here. We haven't yet done the bathroom--we have removed the crazy mantle and have 6 different color swatches on the walls--but we just cannot decide what color to go with. But--our kitchen is nearly done--countertops go on tomorrow and doors should be going on next week. That's been occupying our collective consciousness quite a bit, so we'll begin to turn our focus soon. I promise an update!!

  • 7 years ago

    I love that pink marble tile. I'm so glad you kept it. The new paint is going to look great.

  • 7 years ago

    Do you have the new kitchen posted on Houzz? If yes, I would love to see a link. The previous owner's kitchen was so out of whack, compared to the rest of the house!

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    What colors are you looking at? I think the brown was my fav suggestion

    the FP surround I would rip off and patch drywall. It doesn't even look like it matches the rest of the pink?

  • 7 years ago
    Following :)
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    What a gloriously, over-the-top bathroom. WHOA! Lots' of great suggestions. Can't wait to see what you do here. My lone, slightly tongue-in-cheek suggestion would be to take photos of the cherubs and frame your favorite and then paint over guilt-free ;)

    HU-58102792 thanked Alison
  • 7 years ago

    Wow!!! What a bathroom!!! Following to see how it turns out. The marble is beautiful and once painted in a colour that would 'quiet' it, the bathroom should be lovely!!

  • 7 years ago
    HU, I noted that the brown color in the doors and door frames tends to soften or tone down the pink. You may want to paint all the cabinets and wood trim that color. Put the same color of wood on the tub facing. Paint the walls a complimentary soft creamy white and frost the shower door. Tada!
  • 7 years ago

    Browns and grays have been the colors we've tried, but we have found that many begin to look either green-ish or orange-y once they're paired with the tile.

  • 7 years ago

    I've seen several excellent results with Sherwin-Williams Urbane bronze lately

  • 7 years ago

    Any progress on the bathroom?

  • 7 years ago

    What did you do ?


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